Crypto World
How DeepSeek R1 is Redefining AI
The emergence of DeepSeek R1 has shaken the strategies of tech giants, sent shockwaves through financial markets, and ignited a new level of geopolitical competition between the United States and China. But beyond these immediate impacts, DeepSeek R1 represents a fundamental shift in how artificial intelligence (AI) is developed and deployed. Rather than following the traditional “bigger is better” approach, where massive models with trillions of parameters dominate, DeepSeek R1 champions a new paradigm: efficiency.
A Break from Tradition: The Efficiency Revolution
For years, the prevailing AI philosophy was simple: larger models, more GPUs, and higher energy consumption meant better performance. DeepSeek R1 challenges this notion. Trained at a fraction of the cost of its Western counterparts, just $5.6 million compared to the billions invested by OpenAI and Google, DeepSeek proves that scalability depends not solely on size but algorithmic intelligence.
The introduction of R1 raises critical questions about the future of Large Language Models (LLMs). Are these expansive models already on the verge of obsolescence? With rapid advancements in efficiency-driven AI, businesses and researchers must reconsider their dependence on resource-intensive models that leaner, more cost-effective alternatives may soon outpace.
The Geopolitical Battle Over AI
DeepSeek R1’s arrival is more than a technological breakthrough; it has geopolitical implications. The AI race is now a battleground for global influence, drawing comparisons to Huawei’s dominance in 5G technology. Just as the U.S. took extreme measures to curb Huawei’s expansion, it is now attempting to regulate AI development by restricting advanced GPUs and open-source AI.
However, DeepSeek R1 demonstrates that such restrictions cannot slow China’s AI progress. By optimising efficiency and reducing dependency on high-end chips, DeepSeek has circumvented U.S. sanctions and emerged as a formidable competitor. This has raised concerns in the West about the control of AI-generated information. If AI models developed in China become globally dominant, the risk of information control and censorship increases, influencing public discourse on key issues.
Open-Source AI vs. Proprietary Models, A Coexisting Future
One of the most striking aspects of DeepSeek R1 is its open-source nature. Historically, open-source software has challenged proprietary solutions by dramatically reducing costs and increasing accessibility. We have seen this pattern with Linux in enterprise computing, Android in mobile operating systems, and MySQL in database management. AI is now following the same trajectory.
Yet, major Western AI labs, OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, continue to lead in multimodal AI, safety protocols, and model security. DeepSeek R1 may be efficient, but concerns over its robustness and potential vulnerabilities remain. Microsoft’s immediate integration of DeepSeek R1 into Azure suggests a growing appetite for open models, particularly for businesses looking to balance cost and flexibility. However, proprietary models will continue to play a crucial role in ensuring security and regulatory compliance, leading to a hybrid AI ecosystem where both approaches coexist.
The Economic Implications of AI Cost Reduction
One of the most debated aspects of DeepSeek R1 is its development cost. While $5.6 million is a fraction of what leading AI firms spend, the figure likely only accounts for training, excluding infrastructure, engineering, and deployment costs. Nevertheless, the real game-changer is inference cost, the cost associated with using AI models in real-world applications. Lower inference costs mean broader adoption, much like declining semiconductor prices fueled the mass adoption of consumer electronics.
This shift will have profound economic consequences. As AI becomes more affordable, startups and mid-sized enterprises can integrate advanced AI without requiring massive infrastructure investments. This democratisation of AI will disrupt industries traditionally dominated by a handful of tech giants.
The Role of Reinforcement Learning and AI Agents
DeepSeek R1 is not just another LLM but a shift toward reasoning-based AI. Historically, LLMs excelled at pattern recognition but struggled with logical reasoning and decision-making. DeepSeek R1 integrates reinforcement learning techniques, allowing it to solve complex problems methodically rather than simply predicting the next word in a sequence.
This evolution paves the way for autonomous AI agents capable of adapting to dynamic workflows. From customer service to administrative tasks and data analysis, AI is moving beyond predefined scripts to real-time decision-making. The business world must prepare for a future where AI-driven automation extends beyond simple chatbot interactions into comprehensive, intelligent task execution.
The Chip Shortage Driving Algorithmic Innovation
The U.S. imposed semiconductor export restrictions to limit China’s AI capabilities. However, these constraints have unintended consequences: they have pushed Chinese researchers to prioritise efficiency over brute computational power. As AI models become more optimised, the demand for high-end chips could decrease, fundamentally altering the AI hardware landscape.
While Western AI firms continue to invest heavily in GPU-driven research, China’s focus on efficiency could prove to be a more sustainable long-term strategy. The balance between computational power and algorithmic efficiency will likely define the next phase of AI innovation.
What Comes Next? A Shifting AI Landscape
DeepSeek R1 is not the final chapter in AI development; it is the beginning of a broader shift. Here are three key takeaways for businesses, regulators, and AI researchers:
- Efficiency is the new frontier: The AI race will no longer be won by sheer computing power. Algorithmic advancements will drive the next wave of breakthroughs.
- Regulation must balance security with innovation: Overregulating AI could slow down Western progress while allowing China to take the lead in global adoption.
- Application matters more than model size: AI accessibility is increasing, but success will depend on how effectively companies integrate AI into their operations.
Conclusion: AI’s Future Lies in Strategic Deployment
The rise of DeepSeek R1 signals a transformation in AI development. Rather than investing solely in more extensive and expensive models, the industry must focus on efficiency, usability, and strategic deployment. Businesses that adapt to this shift will gain a competitive edge, while regulators must navigate the complex landscape of security, innovation, and geopolitical competition.
AI is no longer just about who builds the biggest model, it’s about who uses it most effectively. The future belongs to those who can harness AI’s power efficiently and strategically. DeepSeek R1 is just the beginning.
LayerZero’s native token, ZRO, has bucked the broader market downturn, posting double-digit gains to reach a four-month high.
The rally follows the LayerZero’s unveiling of a new blockchain, backed by Citadel Securities and ARK Invest. Both firms made strategic investments through ZRO purchases.
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Institutional Backing Fuels ZRO Rally While Crypto Market Slides
BeInCrypto Markets data shows the crypto market extended its decline today, following yesterday’s $19 billion in losses. Over the past 24 hours, total market capitalization has fallen by more than 2%, reflecting continued risk-off sentiment across major digital assets.
Despite the broader pullback, select altcoins have managed to post outsized gains, with ZRO being one of them. During early Asian trading hours, the token climbed to an intraday high of $2.42 on Binance.
This level was last seen in early October 2025. At the time of writing, ZRO was trading at $2.27, up nearly 22% over the past day.
The token secured the third spot among the top 300 daily gainers on CoinGecko. Trading activity has also accelerated significantly. Over the past 24 hours, the token recorded $491 million in volume, marking a 410.60% increase.
What Is LayerZero’s New Blockchain?
The rally followed LayerZero Labs’ announcement of Zero. It is a new blockchain network designed to address scalability constraints that have historically limited decentralized systems.
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According to the company, Zero introduces a heterogeneous architecture. It separates transaction execution from verification using zero-knowledge proofs, eliminating the “replication requirement.”
LayerZero claims the network can scale to up to 2 million transactions per second per zone, with transaction costs as low as $0.000001. The blockchain is scheduled to launch in fall 2026.
“Zero’s architecture moves the industry’s roadmap forward by at least a decade. We believe we can actually bring the entire global economy on-chain with this technology. Our mission is to build permissionless infrastructure for a better world – this is the beginning of that world,” Bryan Pellegrino, CEO of LayerZero Labs, stated.
As part of the rollout, Citadel Securities is collaborating with LayerZero to evaluate potential applications in trading, clearing, and settlement workflows. The firm also made a strategic investment in ZRO.
ARK Invest is likewise becoming a shareholder in LayerZero and has purchased ZRO. Cathie Wood, ARK’s founder and CEO, will join the project’s advisory board.
“ZRO is the token of the network, and LayerZero will provide interoperability between Zones and across the 165+ blockchains it connects,” the announcement read.
Beyond these investments, LayerZero said it is working with The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation to explore enhancements to tokenized securities infrastructure, including scalability improvements for its DTC Tokenization Service.
Intercontinental Exchange, parent company of the New York Stock Exchange, is examining potential applications related to 24/7 markets and tokenized collateral integration. Google Cloud is also partnering with LayerZero to explore infrastructure enabling AI agents to conduct micropayments autonomously.
Meanwhile, the development closely follows Tether’s strategic investment in LayerZero Labs through Tether Investments. Thus, the combination of strategic capital and institutional collaboration appears to have fueled investor interest in ZRO, even as the broader crypto market continues to face selling pressure.
HONG KONG — Financial regulators in Hong Kong are going to unveil a framework for trading platforms to offer perpetual contracts, the head of the region’s Securities and Futures Commission said Wednesday.
Brokers in Hong Kong will soon be able to provide financing to clients backed by bitcoin and ether and platforms will be able to offer market-making through independent units, said Julia Leung, the CEO of Hong Kong’s SFC at CoinDesk’s Consensus Hong Kong conference.
While the SFC plans to share more details later, the moves are part of the regulator’s broader push to let regulated firms offer more products and services, Leung said, following on its 2025 roadmap which included an effort to develop the local crypto market.
The SFC has already published the conclusions from its consultation on custody and related issues, but these new initiatives are focused on continuing to develop these markets in Hong Kong, including with novel products like perpetual futures contracts.
“We will be publicizing a high-level framework for platforms to be offering perpetual contracts,” she said.
These products will only be available for institutional investors, not retail clients, at this time, she said, and the framework will focus on risks. Platforms seeking to offer these products will need to be able to manage those risks, “and it also has to be very fair to the customers.”
On the other initiatives, Leung said that the SFC will start sharing further details soon.
“We will allow brokers to provide financing to clients with strong … credit profiles, and the collateral will be backed by both securities as well as virtual assets,” she said. “Because virtual assets … many of them are very volatile, so we’ll start with two that will be eligible as collateral, bitcoin and ether.”
Platforms looking to engage in market-making will need to make sure they have strong conflict-of-interest rules and independent market-making units, she said.
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, reignited conversations about the potential intersection of Ethereum and artificial intelligence (AI). In a recent post on X, Buterin revisited his past thoughts on how the Ethereum network could contribute to the development of AI and artificial general intelligence (AGI). His comments underscore his ongoing commitment to long-term technological objectives, highlighting Ethereum’s broader potential beyond decentralized finance.
Two years ago, I wrote this post on the possible areas that I see for ethereum + AI intersections: https://t.co/ds9mLnrJWm
This is a topic that many people are excited about, but where I always worry that we think about the two from completely separate philosophical… pic.twitter.com/pQq5kazT61
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 9, 2026
Buterin sees Ethereum as a foundational layer not only for blockchain transactions but also for enhancing AI systems. He envisions Ethereum supporting more open, transparent, and censorship-resistant AI technologies. Through Ethereum’s decentralized infrastructure, Buterin believes AI could develop in a way that aligns with human progress, rather than accelerating unchecked technological growth.
Ethereum as the Economic Layer for AI Transactions
Buterin suggests that Ethereum could play a pivotal role as an economic coordination layer for AI-to-AI transactions. Autonomous AI agents, operating independently, could use Ethereum to interact, negotiate, and exchange value seamlessly. In this model, Ethereum would serve as a neutral and reliable settlement layer, facilitating trust in transactions within machine-driven economies.
This vision of Ethereum goes beyond supporting financial markets. Buterin highlights Ethereum’s potential to create a decentralized environment where AI systems can autonomously interact efficiently and securely. By providing a transparent and immutable ledger, Ethereum could support an ecosystem where AI agents transact with each other in a trustless manner, all within the bounds of decentralized principles.
AI-Assisted On-Chain Verification and Trust
Buterin also emphasizes the importance of on-chain verification, with Ethereum providing the trust framework for various operations. He imagines a future where AI could assist in auditing smart contracts, verifying data, and improving decentralized governance systems. With Ethereum at the core, this verification process would be transparent, efficient, and immutable, strengthening the security and reliability of the entire system.
This idea aligns with Buterin’s vision of building a decentralized infrastructure that could sustain long-term technological development. He points out that AI could improve market efficiency, ensuring that decentralized systems function with higher levels of trust and accuracy. The integration of AI in Ethereum’s blockchain could bring about a new era of AI systems that are more accountable and reliable, further embedding Ethereum into the future of computing technology.
A Vision Beyond Market Cycles
Buterin’s recent tweet serves as a reminder to the crypto community that Ethereum’s development isn’t only about short-term trends or market movements. While many in the crypto industry remain focused on speculative developments, Buterin’s call for long-term thinking encourages broader innovation. His remarks suggest that Ethereum’s real potential lies in its ability to shape the next generation of computing infrastructure, not just in financial applications.
By revisiting ideas from nearly two years ago, Buterin aims to inspire developers and researchers to look at Ethereum’s broader potential. Ethereum’s decentralized architecture could serve as the foundation for future breakthroughs in AI and AGI development. Buterin’s comments, though not offering a clear roadmap, are a signal to think bigger and consider how Ethereum can be integrated into the next wave of technological advancements.
Robinhood has launched a public testnet for Robinhood Chain, its new Ethereum layer‑2 network built using Arbitrum technology that aims to bring tokenized real‑world and digital assets onchain.
According to a release shared with Cointelegraph, the testnet, which is now live for developers, offers network access points, documentation at docs.chain.robinhood.com, compatibility with standard Ethereum development tools and early integrations from infrastructure partners.
Robinhood says the chain is designed for “financial‑grade” use cases, including 24/7 trading, seamless bridging, self‑custody, and decentralized products such as tokenized asset platforms, lending markets, and perpetual futures exchanges.
A mainnet launch is planned for later this year, with testnet-only assets such as stock‑style tokens and tighter integration with Robinhood Wallet among the features expected in the coming months.
Johann Kerbrat, senior vice president and GM of Crypto and International at Robinhood, said in the release that the testnet for Robinhood Chain laid the groundwork for “an ecosystem that will define the future of tokenized real-world assets,” and enable builders to tap into decentralized finance (DeFi) liquidity within the Ethereum ecosystem.
Related: Coinbase adds stock trading, prediction markets in ‘everything app’ push
Robinhood’s tokenization push
The launch marks a deeper shift by Robinhood from simply offering crypto trading to operating its own onchain infrastructure, following its decision to tokenize nearly 500 United States stocks and exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) on Arbitrum as part of a broader real‑world asset strategy.
Robinhood Chain also mirrors a broader trend in which exchanges try to control both the user‑facing interface and the underlying onchain rails.
Coinbase, for example, runs a regulated trading platform while also building out its Base L2, and announcing the start of its rollout of tokenized equities in Dec. 2025.
Kraken is pursuing a similar end‑to‑end play, operating a global crypto exchange while developing Ink, its own Optimism‑based L2 network, alongside xStocks tokenized equities.
Mixed track record
Robinhood has faced regulatory and public criticism over system outages during periods of market stress and its reliance on payment for order flow in equities, where market-making firms pay brokers to route customer orders to them in exchange for rebates.
Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev said in January that tokenized stocks could help prevent trading freezes, thanks to the real-time settlement properties of blockchain technology.
Editor’s note: On Safer Internet Day, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky addresses a growing concern for families navigating the rapid adoption of AI by Generation Alpha. As children increasingly use AI-powered tools for learning, entertainment, and everyday questions, the company outlines practical guidance for parents on how to frame AI as a helpful tool without overlooking its risks. The focus is on education, supervision, and the responsible use of digital assistants, rather than restriction alone. The guidance reflects broader questions around digital literacy, data privacy, and online safety that are becoming central as AI tools enter daily life at an early age.
Key points
- Parents are encouraged to explain what AI tools are and are not, emphasizing their limitations and potential inaccuracies.
- Children should be taught to verify AI-generated information and avoid using it for sensitive topics without adult input.
- Built-in safety settings and content filters on devices and platforms are highlighted as a first layer of protection.
- Verifying the authenticity of AI-powered apps and limiting permissions is presented as essential to reducing privacy risks.
- Ongoing dialogue between parents and children is positioned as key to safe and informed AI use.
Why this matters
As AI tools become embedded in everyday digital experiences, early exposure is shaping how the next generation learns, searches for information, and interacts online. For parents, this raises new challenges around trust, privacy, and digital wellbeing. For the broader tech ecosystem, it underscores the importance of responsible design, clear safeguards, and digital literacy as AI adoption expands beyond adults. Guidance like this reflects how cybersecurity and education are becoming tightly linked as AI use moves into younger age groups.
What to watch next
- How AI platforms continue to develop and communicate child safety and parental control features.
- Adoption of digital literacy practices by families and schools as AI use grows.
- Ongoing discussion around data privacy and age-appropriate AI access.
Disclosure: The content below is a press release provided by the company/PR representative. It is published for informational purposes.
Born between 2010 and 2025, Gen Alpha aren’t just growing up with technology – they’re actively living it. These digital natives are already wielding smartphones, tablets, and AI-powered tools with the confidence of seasoned users, navigating everything from gaming and social media to online learning platforms with remarkable ease. But the question that concerns parents and security experts is whether we are giving our kids too powerful technology, too soon. On Safer Internet Day, Kaspersky security experts are sharing practical tips to help parents turn AI from a potential threat into a trusted ally for the younger generation.
The first line of defence is building AI awareness
Children already discovered that ChatGPT, DeepSeek and other neural networks can answer questions faster than you can find the right answer in Google, and Alexa can play music without pressing a single button.
So, the only solution is to become children’s AI support. Begin by explaining that these digital assistants aren’t friends, pets, or even real people. They’re sophisticated tools that can be helpful, but also potentially misleading, biased, or simply wrong. Then teach them to cross-check information with multiple sources, just like they’d verify facts in a school project.
When discussing AI with children, emphasize that they should never fully trust AI answers, especially for sensitive topics like health, mental wellbeing, or safety concerns. Always encourage them to verify information and never share personal details or documents with AI systems.
Enabling safely filters
Most AI platforms and smart devices come with built-in safety features that are often overlooked or misunderstood. Spend some time to check the privacy settings and content filters and, if possible, tailor them to match your family’s values and your child’s maturity level. This is a basic protection against inappropriate content, privacy breaches, and potentially harmful interactions.
However, not all services and platforms provide an opportunity to set up content filters and fully control children’s online activity. To create safer digital environment for your children consider using parental control tools like Kaspersky Safe Kids. It allows parents to not only to hide inappropriate content and prevent specific apps and websites from being opened, but also helps balance children’s time spent online with screen time management.
Checking the AI-powered app’s authenticity
In a world where AI apps are popping up faster than you can say “chatbot,” verifying app authenticity is essential. Only download apps from official stores and inform your children about the importance of not installing anything from unfamiliar sources. Look up the company behind the app and check whether they have a website and legitimate business presence. Teach your kids to limit their apps’ permissions and do not give access to data unless it’s necessary for the apps to work.
Staying involved and informed
A basic understanding of the range of problems your child is willing to entrust to AI is already significant. By asking simple questions like “What did you ask AI today? Did it give you the right answer?” you’ll be teaching your children to openly discuss with you the use of AI and problems they might face. When they mention using ChatGPT for homework, ask them to show you what they’ve learned. When they talk about their favourite voice assistant, ask about the topics they like to discuss and funny particularities they noted.
“When you actively participate in your child’s AI journey, you transform from a concerned parent into a trusted guide. They’ll seek your input because they know you’re interested in their digital experiences, not just trying to control them. But while allowing children some AI freedom, you must always remain vigilant about their online safety and healthy growth,” comments Andrey Sidenko, Cyber Literacy Projects Lead at Kaspersky.
About Kaspersky
Kaspersky is a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company founded in 1997. With over a billion devices protected to date from emerging cyberthreats and targeted attacks, Kaspersky’s deep threat intelligence and security expertise is constantly transforming into innovative solutions and services to protect individuals, businesses, critical infrastructure, and governments around the globe. The company’s comprehensive security portfolio includes leading digital life protection for personal devices, specialized security products and services for companies, as well as Cyber Immune solutions to fight sophisticated and evolving digital threats. We help millions of individuals and nearly 200,000 corporate clients protect what matters most to them. Learn more at www.kaspersky.com
Uniswap has won a patent infringement lawsuit filed by organizations connected to Bancor, marking a major legal victory for the decentralized exchange and the wider decentralized finance sector.
Summary
- Uniswap won a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Bancor-linked entities in a U.S. federal court.
- The case focused on the constant product market maker formula used in decentralized trading.
- The ruling supports open-source development and limits patent claims over core DeFi tools.
On Feb. 11, Uniswap founder Hayden Adams said on X that his legal team had informed him of the court’s decision in Uniswap’s favor. The case had challenged the technology that powers automated token trading on the platform.
Many people in the crypto world paid close attention to the lawsuit because it brought up a bigger issue. It questioned whether simple trading formulas used in DeFi can actually be protected by patents.
Lawsuit focused on AMM technology
The legal fight started in May 2025. Bprotocol Foundation and LocalCoin Ltd., both connected to Bancor, filed a lawsuit in a federal court in New York. They claimed that Uniswap Labs and the Uniswap Foundation used a trading method that was covered by a patent granted back in 2017.
The patent covered the constant product automated market maker model, commonly known for the formula x*y=k. This system is used to price tokens in liquidity pools and has become a foundation of many decentralized exchanges.
Bancor argued that Uniswap (UNI) had relied on this patented method since launching in 2018 without permission. The plaintiffs sought financial damages for several years of alleged unauthorized use.
Uniswap strongly rejected the claims from the start. The company said its code had always been open-source and publicly available. It also argued that the patent attempted to claim ownership over basic mathematical principles applied to blockchain systems.
Several industry groups supported Uniswap’s position. Organizations such as the DeFi Education Fund and the Solana Institute filed statements backing the exchange and warning against using patents to restrict open innovation.
Impact on DeFi and open-source development
According to people familiar with the case, the court found that the allegations did not meet the legal standard required for patent infringement, especially given the open nature of Uniswap’s software.
Legal experts say the ruling sends a strong message to the market. Core financial mechanisms that rely on simple formulas may be difficult to protect through patents when they are openly shared and widely adopted.
Many developers see this outcome as a strong moment for open finance. It sends a message that the basic tools behind DeFi cannot easily be restricted or put behind paywalls through patents.
Uniswap users and its partners can also breathe a little easier. The uncertainty surrounding the case had raised concerns about possible setbacks. If the court had ruled differently, it might have slowed down new features and partnerships across the wider ecosystem.
So far, there has been no word of an appeal. For now, the matter seems to be settled at the district court stage.
The tokenized commodities market has risen 53% in less than six weeks to over $6.1 billion, making it the fastest-growing vertical in the real-world asset tokenization market as more gold moves onchain.
The tokenized commodities market was valued at just over $4 billion at the start of the year, meaning around $2 billion has been added to the market’s value since Jan. 1, according to data from crypto analytics platform Token Terminal.
Data shows the tokenized commodities market is dominated by gold products.
Stablecoin issuer Tether’s gold-backed token, Tether Gold (XAUt), has been the biggest contributor to the rise, with its market cap increasing 51.6% in the past month to $3.6 billion, while the Paxos-listed PAX Gold (PAXG) has increased 33.2% to $2.3 billion over the same timeframe.
Tokenized commodities have now risen 360% year-on-year, with the increase since the start of 2026 outpacing growth in the tokenized stocks and tokenized funds markets at 42% and 3.6%, respectively.
It also puts the tokenized commodities market at just over one-third the size of the $17.2 billion tokenized funds market. It’s also much larger than tokenized stocks, which are valued at $538 million.
Tether expanded its tokenized commodities strategy on Thursday by acquiring a $150 million stake in precious metals platform Gold.com, in an effort to broaden access to tokenized gold.
Tether said its XAUt token would be integrated into Gold.com’s platform and that it is exploring options to allow customers to purchase physical gold with USDt (USDT) stablecoin.
Gold picks up the pace as Bitcoin stuck below $70,000
The rise in tokenized gold comes as gold’s spot price rallied more than 80% over the past year to set a new all-time high of $5,600 on Jan. 29.
A minor pullback saw gold retrace to the $4,700 mark earlier this month, but it has since risen back up to $5,050 at the time of writing.
Related: Do Super Bowl ads predict a bubble? Dot-coms, crypto and now AI
Meanwhile, Bitcoin (BTC) and the crypto market have been in a slump since Oct. 10, when a crypto market crash triggered $19 billion in liquidations.
Bitcoin fell 52.4% from its early October high of $126,080 to about $60,000 on Friday but has since rebounded to $69,050, CoinGecko data shows.
Bitcoin’s fall amid a rise in traditional safe-haven assets has led some industry commentators, like Strike CEO Jack Mallers, to speculate that Bitcoin is still treated like a software stock despite having hard money characteristics.
Crypto asset manager Grayscale similarly said Bitcoin’s long-standing narrative as “digital gold” has been put to the test, stating that its recent price action increasingly resembles that of a high-risk growth asset rather than a traditional safe-haven.
Magazine: Big questions: Should you sell your Bitcoin for nickels for a 43% profit?
Since August 2025, XRP holders have increasingly spent their coins, adding to the selling pressure that has flipped the asset’s on-chain profitability negative.
The past six months have been primarily depressing for XRP, the native cryptocurrency of the Ripple Network. Now, the asset appears to be flashing a capitulation signal as holders realize major losses amid panic selling.
Data from Glassnode shows that on-chain profitability for the digital asset has flipped negative, with the Spent Output Profit Ratio (SOPR) falling from 1.16 on July 25, 2025, to 0.96 currently. Analysts say the current setup mirrors that seen during the September 2021 to May 2022 period, when the SOPR for XRP fell into the <1 range. A prolonged consolidation followed the plunge, leading to stabilization.
XRP Holders Realize Huge Losses
Since August 2025, the price of XRP has been in a steady decline, recovering only briefly before resuming its descent. By late October, the price had dropped 27% from $3.5 in mid-July to $2.4. As the asset lost its value, long-term holders who had accumulated before November 2024 increased their spending by 580% from $38 million per day to $260 million per day.
The numbers remained steady into early November, highlighting a distribution into weakness, not strength. Analysts noted that the spending spree was unlike past profit-realization waves that aligned with rallies. There was a clear signal that experienced traders were exiting their positions, adding pressure to the price of XRP.
By mid-November, the share of XRP supply in profit had plummeted to 58.5%, the lowest since November 2024, when the asset was worth $0.53. Even though XRP traded around $2.15 at the time, four times higher than the November 2024 price, more than 41% of the coin’s supply was sitting in losses. It was an indication that the market was top-heavy, structurally fragile, and dominated by late buyers.
Capitulation Signal or Structural Failure?
As the bears would have it, the price of XRP fell below $2 in mid-November, and the 30-day estimated market average (30D-EMA) of daily realized losses surged to $75 million. Since the beginning of the year, investors have realized between $500 million and $1.2 billion in losses per week each time XRP has retested $2. $2 is now a major psychological zone for XRP holders.
At the time of writing, XRP was trading at $1.40, having lost its aggregate holder cost basis, which explains the panic selling. Such moves have raised questions about whether the XRP market is in a capitulation or experiencing a structural failure. Experts insist the former is the case because fundamentals are stronger now, unlike 2022, when regulatory clarity did not exist.
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Stripe has launched a new payment system designed for artificial intelligence agents, allowing them to pay for digital services automatically using cryptocurrency.
Summary
- Stripe launched x402 payments to enable AI agents to make automated USDC transactions on Base.
- The system supports fast, low-cost micropayments for APIs, data, and compute services.
- The move shows the growing convergence between AI, fintech, and blockchain infrastructure.
Stripe product manager Jeff Weinstein revealed the feature on Feb. 11 and it is currently in preview. The update adds support for Base, an Ethereum-based blockchain network, for the x402 payment protocol.
Through this system, AI agents can quickly and easily make small payments using USD Coin (USDC) stablecoins. Developers can charge agents for services like data access, processing power, and API calls using Stripe’s built-in tools, eliminating the need for manual billing or traditional subscriptions.
Built for machine-to-machine payments
Weinstein said current payment systems are designed mainly for humans and are not well-suited for automated software. AI agents, he noted, need fast, low-cost, and always-available payment rails that can work without human supervision.
Under the new system, businesses create a standard Stripe Payment Intent. Stripe assigns a one-of-a-kind wallet address to every transaction. When the AI agent sends funds to that address, the payment can be monitored in real time through the Stripe dashboard, via webhooks, or by using the API.
Once the transaction is confirmed, the funds are deposited into the merchant’s Stripe balance, just like any standard payment. Stripe’s current infrastructure also manages tax reporting, refunds, and compliance tools.
The system relies on x402, an open protocol that revives the old HTTP “402 Payment Required” status code. When an agent tries to access a paid service, it receives a payment request. After sending USDC on Base, access is automatically granted.
Because Base offers fast settlement and low fees, payments can be completed in a matter of seconds. This makes the setup suitable for frequent, low-value transactions, such as paying per request or per minute of usage.
Stripe has also released an open-source command-line tool called “purl,” along with sample code in Python and Node.js, to help developers test machine payments.
Expanding the agent economy
The launch reflects Stripe’s growing focus on what it calls the “agent economy,” where software programs operate independently and manage their own finances. These agents are expected to buy data, computing resources, and digital services without human approval.
The company said more protocols, currencies, and blockchain networks will be added in the future. For now, support is focused on USDC on Base, which provides stability and predictable pricing.
Industry observers see the move as another sign that AI, fintech, and crypto are becoming more closely connected. Instead of relying on monthly plans or prepaid credits, services can now be priced per action, per second, or per request.
TLDR:
- Circle Ventures invests in edgeX, the team behind EDGE Chain layer-3 blockchain infrastructure
- Native USDC and CCTP integration will enable regulated stablecoin settlement on EDGE Chain
- Migration from bridged USDC.e to native USDC planned for existing EDGE Chain ecosystem users
- CCTP enables secure crosschain USDC transfers without reliance on wrapped or bridged assets
Native USDC and Circle Cross-Chain Transfer Protocol (CCTP) are set to launch on EDGE Chain, bringing regulated stablecoin infrastructure to the layer-3 blockchain ecosystem.
Circle Ventures has invested in edgeX, the team developing EDGE Chain, supporting the integration of USDC and CCTP capabilities.
The upcoming launch will enable institutional-grade settlement and crosschain transfers for users of edgeX exchange and other EDGE Chain applications.
This development positions EDGE Chain as a high-performance environment for onchain financial applications.
Circle Investment Backs EDGE Chain Infrastructure
EDGE Chain operates as a layer-3 blockchain powering edgeX, a perpetual decentralized exchange focused on competitive trading performance.
The platform leverages Arbitrum’s layer-2 chain for security while settling on Ethereum’s base layer. Circle Ventures’ investment reflects confidence in EDGE Chain’s technical architecture and growth potential.
According to the announcement, the integration “brings trusted, regulated stablecoin settlement and secure crosschain infrastructure to the EDGE ecosystem, including edgeX exchange, unlocking new onchain financial use cases.” The investment demonstrates Circle’s belief in the platform as a scalable environment for USDC-based applications.
The integration will provide users access to USDC, the world’s largest regulated stablecoin. Native USDC serves as a fully reserved asset redeemable 1:1 for US dollars.
Eligible institutional users can access Circle Mint for direct on and off-ramp services. The stablecoin will function across trading, lending, and various onchain activities within the ecosystem.
CCTP enables the secure movement of USDC between the EDGE Chain and other supported blockchains. The protocol eliminates reliance on wrapped or bridged token versions.
Developers can select between Standard Transfer and Fast Transfer options based on application requirements. This infrastructure supports cross-chain onboarding, trading, margin operations, and lending applications.
Migration Path Set for Bridged USDC Users
EDGE Chain currently supports Bridged USDC, known as USDC.e, created by Alchemy. The EDGE Chain and edgeX teams plan a gradual migration of USDC.e liquidity to native USDC.
Bridged versions will maintain clear labeling as USDC.e across block explorers, application interfaces, and technical documentation.
The announcement outlined key capabilities, noting the integration enables “Native USDC for settlement and collateral” alongside “CCTP for seamless USDC movement across supported blockchains. Users will benefit from infrastructure with “no reliance on wrapped or bridged assets” for cross-chain transfers.
Circle has released testnet USDC at address 0x7433b41C6c5e1d58D4Da99483609520255ab661B for developer experimentation. Mainnet contract addresses will be announced closer to launch.
Developers can obtain free testnet tokens through Circle’s official faucet to test fund flows and integration workflows.
The existing Bridged USDC maintains its mainnet presence at address 0xd8e20462EDCe38434616Cc6A6a560BB76B582ED8. Both token versions will coexist during the transition period.
Ecosystem applications will coordinate migration timelines to minimize disruption for existing users and liquidity providers. Circle Internet Financial, LLC holds multiple regulatory licenses for money transmission services under NMLS number 1201441.
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